Counsel – Page 4 – Praying Pint

Light shinning in the darkness

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Job 24:13 “There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths. The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he veils his face. In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light. For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness.

Proverbs 1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

God’s word is a light unto our soul and a path for our feet. In our homes we have lights and as it approaches night we turn them on so we can over come the darkness. We choose to turn the light on because we see benefit from being able to function as though the darkness is not there. There is much darkness in our world. Some of this darkness is right there in our face and some of it is hidden and just below the surface. The light of God’s word pulls us out of this darkness, lighting up the path for our feet to walk on daily. It lights up hope, joy, love, grace, mercy, courage, strength, peace, within our soul. The light of God’s word – The light of God’s word – The light of God’s word….. Reading God’s word turns on this light and the more this word is read and remembered and thought about the brighter it gets. Can you imagine a person who would turn the lights on at night only on Sunday and then trying to remember what that light illuminated the rest of the week. They would be walking in darkness fooling them selves with this false hope of remembrance of the light. We need the light of God’s word in our lives each day if we are to commit to humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying God.

They soon forgot

“then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.”

“They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,”

“Then they believed his words; they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.”

“They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,”

“they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant.

Psalms 78:35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.

Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Deuteronomy 32:30 How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up? For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.

Ezekiel 33:31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.

Reading these scriptures should challenge our heart and mind to faithfully serve God with our whole heart mind and soul. Just as those from years gone by have done, we too need to be certain our mouth is not saying one thing and our heart is serving another – more than likely (Me, Myself, and I). His word tells us that people easily forget God and what it means to cling to, rely on, and trust in Him. It is hard to tell who these people are because many times all we hear is what comes from their mouth. “they honor me with their mouth but their heart is far from Me”. I wonder if it is our lack of spending time in knowing and understanding His word. I wonder if we judge our walk by how others walk and in doing so we end up at a place where our faith is nothing more than words spoken. This is a place where there is no heart deep desire to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God but rather just words stating it. God sees our heart and knows our thoughts and intents. Many will enter eternity and when standing before God will hear depart from Me for I never knew you. Be mindful of what it means to be redeemed and to follow and obey Him with all your heart, mind and soul.

Spirit of counsel to lead us

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;”

“But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.”

“so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”

Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Isaiah 63:14 Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.

Ezekiel 37:14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.”

Haggai 2:4 Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,

Psalms 20:6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

“Not by power or might but by His spirit”. How many times do we try to accomplish on our own? We use our power, strength, knowledge, and head off on a course of action without seeking God, without knowing if this is in His plans and purpose for us. We make these plans or take action and after we have set them to motion we ask God to make them work out. Knowing you are being led by God down His path for you is power, strength, and peace to our heart and soul. Seek God first with all your heart,, mind and soul. Our pastor has been teaching through the book of Exodus and this past Sunday in chapter 33/34 it spoke of the tent Moses had out side of the camp. He went there each morning and the rest would stand in the doors of their tents and watch God’s presence come down in the form a cloud. The people would worship from their door ways knowing God was present while Moses spent the day speaking with God. A question keep running through my head. If I/we had a choice each morning to spend the day with God – would we choose it? Would we step away from all the activity and plans we have made? Joshua said it this way “choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord our God”

1 Hearts far from Me

“Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.”

“ I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.”

“Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”

Psalms 73:21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalms 92:5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;

Psalms 69:5 O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Isaiah 29:13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?” You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,

Matthew 15:7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

I think about my heart and if I am just serving God with my lips. There are times when I can’t make sense of the purpose of my life. I know it is to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God, but what does that look like lived out. Am I understanding His word in a way that is intended? Are my ears open to hear His whispers of guiding me? Are my eyes open to see His handy work? Am I being filled anew each day with His Holy Spirit? Do I desire Him more than this world? Are my ears itching to hear something to confirm my lack of commitment is enough? Am I a fence rider and living for this world and yet speaking of heaven? Are my desires more for what this world has to offer? I look forward to the day this battle with sin is over and I am with Him forever. I trust in His grace, mercy and love through the redemptive work of Christ to usher me home with Him forever.

Rejoice in His works

“ Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.”

“ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Psalms 71:23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

Psalms 104:31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalms 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Psalms 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

When our eyes are focused on God and His awesome power, might, grace, mercy, and love it is what bubbles out of our heart. Rejoicing and giving Him praise comes natural then. It is when we get sideways and are drifting away from Him that this becomes hard to do. When other things fill our heart it is hard to rejoice and praise God. Keep your eyes open to Him, stay in His word, and choose to seek Him and His purpose for your day. Rejoicing and praise will begin to bubble up and out from the depth of your heart and soul.

Father of Lies

“Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

“For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.”

“His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.”

Psalms 62:4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed,

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

Matthew 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

Matthew 26:3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.

Luke 20:20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

John 11:47-50 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish

Acts 4:16-17 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”

Acts 4:25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

Psalms 28:3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Luke 11:39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

We should not be blind to the fact that there are those who will actively plot and scheme against christianity and also with those who believe. Their father is the devil and he is a liar and father of all lies. He speaks with a smooth tongue and tells people there is no God. He tells people that there is no life after death. He tells people that they need more and more. He tells people that their only happiness will come from what they get for themselves. He tells people that Jesus Christ sacrifice on the cross is not enough to cover their sin. He tells people that they are not good enough for God. He tells people that they are failures. He tells people that personal pleasure at what ever cost is worth it. He tells people that they will never find peace. He tells people that there is no hope. He tells people to be greedy. He tells people that going to church is enough. He tells people that they are to busy to go to church. He tells people that giving to the church and its mission is not needed from them. He tells people that children are to be used for personal pleasure. He tells people to worry. He tells people to never forgive. He tells people that there is no need to confess and turn away from their sin. He blinds their eyes and heart to the current sin they are in. He tells people to hold grudges. He encourages people to be angry. He confuses people. He encourages people to close their ears to the whispers of God. He tells people that they should not wait on God. He tells people that God will not listen or answer their prayer. He tells people that God does not love us. And the list of lies could continue for pages….. Our God lives and is the rock, refuge, fortress, and heavenly Father to all who believe. However we will never be able to fight these lies if we spend little to no time in His word. I wonder how many defeated people are out there because they do not know God and His promises that are found in His word. I wonder how many do not seek God because they don’t feel they are good enough. I wonder how many do not confess sin because they have drifted so far away from God they cannot hear Him speak into their life. Our purpose is to know God, humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him. We can to believe lies or truth – if we would only choose to seek Him and His purpose, things of this world and the lies it shouts as truths, would have less and less influence. Choose Him!!!!

Limping along 1

“There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.”

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!”

Psalms 50:1 The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice! The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge!

Joshua 22:22 “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today

Nehemiah 9:6 “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

Jeremiah 32:18 You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.

Isaiah 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

In this Psalm we see the greatness of God who is worthy to be praised. Yet other scripture calls us out – “how long will you go limping between two different opinions” “but they have rebelled against me”. Limping between and rebelling against what? I think we limp and rebel along these lines; Giving and keeping, content and wanting, at peace and being anxious, faith and no faith, Resting and unrest, joy and unhappiness, belief and unbelief, allowing ourselves to be wronged and being critical of others, trusting and questioning, listening and not wanting to hear, time for God…. There is no need to limp along and rebel against God. Our lives are so much better when we choose to follow Him and humbly serve, honor and obey. Look to the one who is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. Spend time in His word and believe He is sovereign, holy, mighty, loving, powerful, God forever to be praised and worshiped.

You Shall Speak

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.“

Psalms 40:10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Ezekiel 2:7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

Acts 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Isaiah 49:6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Luke 2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

When was the last time you spoke of the gift of salvation to someone? Are we not going to be held accountable for what we do with this gift from God? I wonder who’s blood will be on my hand because I did not speak of God’s grace and mercy or speak of His warnings. What kind of person would find an everlasting well of water in the desert and then not share it with those who were perishing from lack of water. God’s grace, mercy, and love are to be shared, lived, believed, and unwaveringly held on to. Choose to make a difference in the life of another person today – let them know God loves them so much He sent His Son to redeem them.

Earnest Counsel

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”

Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

Deuteronomy 6:7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Matthew 12:35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Proverbs 4:3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.

Deuteronomy 11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Isaiah 51:7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their rivilings.

God has written His laws/commands into our minds and on our hearts. There are four reasons for this. 1. So that we will know Him. 2. So that we can teach them to our children. 3. So they can be used as encouragement / counsel to others. 4. So that we will know how to serve, honor and obey Him. He has also given us His Holy word filled with many promises and warnings. We would do well to spend time in His word being able to use it for building our faith and encouraging /counseling others.

Receive my words

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;”

Psalms 34:9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

Proverbs 7:24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Isaiah 28:9 “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message?

Matthew 18:2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Listen to my words”, “humble yourself”, “be attentive”, “remember your creator”, “seek diligently”, and “fear (reverence and respect) God” are all spoken with the intent of the hearer taking action – making a choice to do it or not. We make choice each day on how we will act, what we will say, how we will react, what we expose our eyes to, and what we listen to. Staying close to God, seeking Him, humbly serving Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him will certainly guide the previous choices and how we face each day. One path seeks only what is right in our own eyes and the other seeks what is right in God’s eyes.